Religious Leaders Ask Voters to Reject Initiative 1033

As religious leaders, we express our deep concern over Washington's economic crisis and the devastating impacts Initiative1033 would have on our state. This Initiative could inflict serious, long-lasting impacts on state and local governments and their abilities to respond to the needs of the most vulnerable members of our communities.

Our tax system should bridge the gap between the rich and poor, promote economic security, and protect our state's most vulnerable residents. This latest initiative from Tim Eyman fails on all three counts. Passage of a similar initiative in Colorado led to deep cuts in public education, roads and highways, and children's health care. It did so much damage to the state's economy that in 2005, Coloradans voted to suspend the law. We believe all caring citizens want to live in a state where life's basic necessities are met. That's why, as religious leaders of Washington State we call upon the voters of Washington to reject Initiative 1033.

The legislature already made deep cuts in public services in the past legislative session due to the national recession. I-1033 will make Washington State's recession permanent, forcing even deeper cuts and locking them in for years to come. The massive budget cuts passed this year will already devastate life line services such as childcare, public health, health care for kids and adults, housing and care for seniors. Opportunities for a quality public education essential for our children's future are being reduced. Public services are more important than ever when families lose jobs, lose healthcare and are otherwise economically stressed.

We understand the impulse to minimize taxes when our own budgets are strained, but our religions call us to act out of the abundance we've been given, not out of scarcity. Saving a few tax dollars while needs across our state go unmet is not in keeping with our religious beliefs. To live up to our moral responsibility for the common good, we must make sure that the budget cuts we saw in this recession year do not become permanent in Washington - we must raise our voices against Initiative 1033.

We are doing our best to help people in our communities get through these hard times, but as important as charity is, our religious institutions are not equipped to maintain the critical social safety net programs and the investments of state government. Maintaining services and keeping our current investments is critical to helping Washington families recover from an economic downturn.

We are called to live faithfully and obediently to a God who loves all of creation and all people. We are concerned that I-1033 will further exacerbate the disparities in our current tax system, from the disproportionate burden it places on poor people and small businesses to its inability to keep up with escalating costs and to make investments for the future.

We are called to live out our faith publicly in response to our God who we believe desires a world that is equitable and sustainable. We call upon you as we call upon the members of our faith communities to join us in raising our moral voices to defeat I-1033.

Following are signatories - Organizations included for identification purposes only.